No cuts expected to council’s roads budget

A SENIOR Cork County Council official has told Kanturk/Mallow county councillors that he was not aware of any cuts being made to the areas’’ roads budget for the year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This means that preparatory works for key projects such as the Kanturk Link Road and the proposed roundabout at Ballymacquirke Cross will still move forward as planned this year.

Speaking at the May area committee meeting, senior roads engineer Jim Moloney said the plan was to continue with the schedule of works agreed in the area budget for this year – providing that enough staff are available to complete the projects.

He was responding to a query by Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG) who asked if the projects outlined in the area budget at the start of the year would be completed.

“We already lost more than six weeks of activity. While emergency works have been undertaken and we are back to some degree on repairs and drainage. However, larger projects such as surface dressing are crucially important Will these previously sanctioned projects be completed?” he asked.

In reply Mr Moloney said that council staff had already made great inroads in making up for lost time, and it was envisaged that grading and surface-dressing projects would swing back into action on May 18.

“Post May 18, our operations will also include street sweeping, drainage works, litter picks on national roads, minor footpath repairs and power washing,” said Mr Moloney.

“However, I should qualify this by saying this will depend on the availability of staff and contractors and the level to which current restrictions will be lifted,” he added.

Mr Moloney said it was assumed that budgets agreed earlier this year for the area would remain in place.

“I am not aware of any cutbacks being made as a result of COVID-19, and we are planning on completing the full programme of works agreed earlier this year. While we have lost time, we have been helped by the fact that because of the good weather there has not been an appreciable decline in road surfaces or an increase in potholes,” he said.

“The biggest issue is the need to implement social distancing, which will impact on the way we are able to do things.”

Cllr Bernard Moynihan (FF) asked if this would include the Kanturk Link Road and works at Ballymacquirke Cross, preparations for which are at an advanced stage under the umbrella of the rural regeneration programme.

Municipal district officer Mary Hayes confirmed that she had been in contact with an official at the Department of Rural and Community Development about funding streams under the programme.

“He said that, to the best of his knowledge, funding under the programme is secure. As far as we are concerned the projects will be moving forward as scheduled.”